Robert Allen Palmer (19 January 1949 – 26 September 2003) was an English singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was known for his distinctive, soulful voice, mix of musical styles on his albums, combining soul, jazz, rock, pop, reggae, blues, and sartorial elegance. He found success both in his solo career and with the Power Station, and had Top 10songs in both the UK and the US.

His famous music videos, directed by British fashion photographer Terence Donovan, for the hits “Addicted to Love“, “Simply Irresistible” and “I Didn’t Mean to Turn You On” featured women simulating playing instruments, almost identically dressed with pale faces, dark-eye makeup and bright-red lipstick. Palmer’s involvement in the music industry began in the 1960s, covered four decades and included a spell with Vinegar Joe.Palmer received a number of awards throughout his career, including two Grammy Awards for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, an MTV Video Music Award, and two Brit Award nominations for Best British Male Solo Artist.

Palmer died aged 54 following a heart attack on 26 September 2003.

Palmer’s father was a British naval intelligence officer stationed in Malta. Palmer moved with his family from Batley (where he was born) to Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1949. Influenced as a child by blues, soul and jazz music on American Forces Radio, Robert Palmer joined his first band, The Mandrakes, at the age of 15 whilst still at Scarborough High School for Boys. His first major break came with the departure of singer Jess Roden from the band The Alan Bown Set in 1969, after which Palmer was invited to London to sing on their single “Gypsy Girl”.